Pentagon City

JUST IN: Trains Single-Tracking On Metro’s Yellow Line

By Chris Teale

Pentagon City Metro (photo by Katie Pyzyk)

(Updated 2:40 p.m.) Engineers completed repairs of the tunnel leak, and trains are no longer sharing a track on the Yellow Line.

Original post:

Trains are single-tracking on Metro’s Yellow Line from Pentagon City into D.C. after water entered the tunnel south of the L’Enfant Plaza Metro station.

Metro received the report of the infiltration shortly after 11:30 a.m. Thursday. Crews removed power to the electrified third rail on the nearby northbound tracks. After an inspection, engineers found water breaching the tunnel under pressure.

As of 1:25 p.m., trains were still single-tracking. Metro officials said an estimated repair time will be posted once more information is known.

Metro posted video of the leak online:

More from a Metro press release:

Shortly after 11:30 a.m., Metro received a report of water entering the Yellow Line tunnel south of L’Enfant Plaza. Metro removed third rail power on the inbound Yellow Line track. Upon inspection, engineers found water breaching the tunnel wall under pressure (see video below).

While there is no risk to the structural integrity of the tunnel, Metro has taken this action to prevent water from spraying on the electrified third rail. Yellow Line trains are single tracking between L’Enfant Plaza and Pentagon City. The source of the water has not been determined, but all indications are that the water is originating from outside the Metro system.

Service Information

Yellow Line trains are subject to delays due to single tracking. Green and Blue line trains, while not single tracking, may experience congestion-related delays due to Yellow Line trains waiting to proceed through the single-track zone. Customers on both lines are advised to allow additional travel time.

Metro will provide an update on an estimated time of repair once more information is known.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Young buck (deer) in backyard (Flickr pool photo by Lisa Novak)

Vornado Scraps Development Proposals — Ahead of the closing of its merger with JBG, Vornado has indefinitely put on hold a number of development proposals, including: all but one building of its proposed RiverHouse development in Pentagon City; a revamp of the shops at 1750 Crystal Drive that was to include a new 12-screen multiplex; and a pair of retail pavilions at 2101 and 2201 Crystal Drive. [Washington Business Journal]

Arlington a ‘Best City’ to Go Car-Free — According to a new list in Forbes, Arlington County is one of the top 25 U.S. cities for one to live without a car. Arlington was also one of nine places whose walkable neighborhoods were profiled in the magazine. [Forbes]

Video of Apartment Fire — The weekend fire at the Serrano apartments on Columbia Pike was caught on video. The dramatic video shows firefighters arriving and starting to douse the flames with water. [Statter 911]

‘Star’ Renewed for Second Season — Fox has renewed ‘Star’ for a second season. One of the stars of the series is Washington-Lee High School grad Brittany O’Grady. [Deadline Hollywood]

‘Taming of the Shrew’ Review — A review of Synetic Theater’s new production of Taming of the Shrew says the physical theater performance “speaks colorful volumes” despite the lack of dialogue. [Broadway World]

Leadership Change at Community Foundation — Arlington Community Foundation Executive Director Wanda Pierce is stepping down next month after eight years of leading the local nonprofit.

Flickr pool photo by Lisa Novak

‘A Deli’ Now Open on Pentagon Row

By ARLnow.com
1/5

There’s a new sandwich and salad spot on Pentagon Row.

“A Deli” opened recently at 1301 S. Joyce Street, in the former Subway storefront, next to Rite Aid. The interior is relatively spacious, for a deli, and includes a number of tables for dining in and a TV for those in line, in addition to the large deli counter.

The menu includes breakfast options, hot subs, deli sandwiches and hoagies, specialty Italian sandwiches, cheesesteaks, salads, party platters, sides and desserts. Free lunch box delivery, with a five box minimum, is offered. Wine is also available for sale.

The deli’s hours are 7 a.m.-7 p.m Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday.

Pentagon Row Nando’s to Sling Free Chicken Next Tuesday

By Tim Regan
1/2

The Nando’s Peri-Peri in Pentagon City is set to hand out free chicken as part of a promotional event planned for next week.

The South African-Portuguese chain’s eatery at 1301 S. Joyce Street is scheduled to serve free quarter-chickens, sandwiches, wraps and pitas on Tuesday, Feb. 21, from 6-8 p.m. Sides and drinks still will cost money, however

The deal, dubbed the “Nando’s Dash,” only is available to customers who don’t take their food to go.

“Because we get a kick out of being generous, next Tuesday, February 21, we’re putting on a #NandosDash for you at our Pentagon Row restaurant in Arlington,” the chain said in a promotional email.

Photo via Facebook/Nando’s Peri Peri

Pentagon City Barre Studio to Open With Free Classes Saturday

By Tim Regan
1/3

A new barre studio is slated to offer some free workout sessions this weekend to celebrate its opening in Pentagon City.

Pure Barre will open its doors on the ground floor of the Bartlett apartment building at 520 12th St. South on Saturday, Feb. 18, according to co-owner Lauren Lafaye-Benson.

The new studio offers classes that blend techniques found in yoga, ballet and pilates.

“It’s full strength training,” Lafaye-Benson said. “You use isometric movements to fatigue your muscles and help them become stronger in the long run.”

To help get participants in the mood for moving, all of the workouts are set to music.

“It helps to not only keep you more involved in the workout, but it kind of helps to mentally clear your mind and get you to a good zone for working out,” Lafaye-Benson said.

No past dance experience is required to participate and the workout is suitable for people of all fitness levels, she added. The only requirement to join in is that clients must wear socks on the studio’s carpeted floor.

Pure Barre will offer free community classes this weekend before it begins its regular schedule on Monday, Feb. 20. Those interested in taking advantage of the deal can sign up on the location’s website.

Firefighters Extinguish Dumpster Fire in Pentagon City

By Tim Regan

Chevy's restaurant in Pentagon City (photo via Google Maps)Arlington County firefighters fought and extinguished a dumpster fire at 1201 S. Hayes Street in Pentagon City earlier this morning.

The fire broke out in a garbage bin full of mulch and cardboard sometime before 8:45 a.m. today, according to scanner traffic. Firefighters pulled some of the material from the dumpster to hose it down.

Though the fire was contained to the dumpster, smoke from the blaze wafted into a nearby Chevy’s Fresh Mex restaurant.

That restaurant has had a tough week, it seems. On Tuesday, it was evacuated after higher-than-normal carbon monoxide levels were detected in the eatery’s kitchen.

Photo via Google Maps

Vehicle Runs Off I-395 Overpass, Lands on Pentagon Entrance

By ARLnow.com

Rescuers work to free driver from SUV that fell off the side of a I-395 overpass near the Pentagon (courtesy photo)

(Updated at 11:45 a.m.) A vehicle ran off the side of an I-395 overpass last night and landed on S. Rotary Road at S. Eads Street, a main entrance to the Pentagon reservation.

I-395 overpass at S. Rotary Road (photo via Google Maps)The incident was reported around 12:40 a.m. Arlington County firefighters responded and worked to extricate the driver, who was trapped inside the vehicle.

Once freed, the driver was transported to the trauma center at George Washington University Hospital for “further evaluation,” according to ACFD.

The vehicle — described as a hatchback or hybrid SUV — was heavily damaged in the 25-50 foot fall from the highway to the roadway below. It also took out a “large light pole” on the way down, according to a fire department Facebook post.

No other vehicles were reported to be involved.

Courtesy photo (top), photo (middle) via Google Maps

Carbon Monoxide Incident at Pentagon City Restaurant

By ARLnow.com

Chevy's restaurant in Pentagon City (photo via Google Maps)(Updated at 12:30 p.m.) The Chevy’s Fresh Mex restaurant at 1201 S. Hayes Street in Pentagon City is being evacuated due to “elevated” carbon monoxide levels.

Fire department units are being dispatched to the scene to investigate the source of the CO, according to scanner traffic. Washington Gas is also responding to the scene.

Initial reports suggest the higher-than-normal carbon monoxide levels were detected in the kitchen and possibly related to a water heater.

So far there’s no report of anyone becoming sick, though the restaurant’s kitchen workers are being evaluated by firefighters.

Photo via Google Maps

UPDATED: Police Investigating Death in Costco Parking Lot

By ARLnow.com
1/3

Arlington County Police are investigating a death in the Costco parking lot in Pentagon City.

A body was found this afternoon in the front of an SUV parked in the store’s surface parking lot, next to the new parking garage.

“Police were called to the 1200 block of S. Fern Street for the report of an unresponsive male in a vehicle,” said ACPD spokeswoman Ashley Savage. “Medics responded to the area and the male has been pronounced deceased.”

“The police department is conducting and active death investigation but at this time, the death does not appear suspicious,” Savage continued. “There is no threat to the public.”

Update at 11:15 a.m. — The man’s death was related to a medical condition, according to Friday’s ACPD crime report.

(MEDICAL) DOA, 2017-02090172, 1200 block of S. Fern Street. At approximately 1:23 p.m. on February 9, officers were dispatched for the report of an unresponsive male inside a vehicle. Medics arrived on scene and the 70-year-old male was pronounced deceased. The death is not considered suspicious and there is no threat to the public. The Medical Examiner’s Office will determine cause of death.

‘Love the Run You’re With 5K’ Returns to Pentagon City

By ARLnow.com

Love the Run You're With 5K promo photo (via Pacers)The annual Love the Run You’re With 5K race is returning to Pentagon City this weekend.

The Valentine’s Day-themed race is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 12. It encourages participants to specify whether they’re single or in a relationship when registering — with different race bib colors for each category.

A number of road closures are planned for the race. From ACPD:

The Arlington County Police Department will conduct the following road closures to accommodate the race:

  • South Joyce Street between South 15th Street and Army Navy Drive will be closed from 07:00 AM until 11:00 AM.
  • South 15th Street between South Hayes Street and South Joyce Street will be closed from 06:00 AM until 11:00 AM. (The South Pentagon City Mall Garage will be closed for the duration of the event)
  • Army Navy Drive between South Joyce Street and South 25th Street will be closed from 07:00 AM until 11:00 AM.

Street parking in the area will be restricted. Motorists should be on the lookout for temporary “No Parking” signs. Illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed or towed. If your vehicle is towed from a public street, call 703-558-2222.

Race attendees are encouraged to use Metro, however, if driving please utilize the parking garage at the Pentagon City Mall.

A number of other seasonal races are planned in Arlington over the next couple of months. Among them: the Four Courts Four Miler on March 11 and Crystal City 5K Fridays in April.

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